SUAREZ EXTENDS BARCELONA STAY

Barcelona talisman Luis Suarez has agreed to extend his contract with the club.

The agreement will keep him at the Camp Nou until June 2021, the Spanish champions announced on Thursday. The Uruguay striker’s new deal features a release clause worth a staggering €200 million (US$208 million).

The Catalan giant said Suarez, who has netted 97 goals in 116 matches since his arrival from Liverpool in 2014, would officially sign the new deal today.

Suarez said, “They know that I feel happy here and there was never going to be a problem extending my contract, and finally, it’s official.”

The former Liverpool and Ajax striker Suarez helped Barcelona win a treble of Copa del Rey, La Liga and Champions League in his first season at the Camp Nou and extended his laurel with a domestic double last season. The 29-year-old prolific striker netted in the 3-1 victory over Juventus in Berlin in the 2015 Champions League final as they lifted the title.

Suarez’s incredible goal tally of 59 goals in 53 appearances last season, which includes 40 goals in La Liga, won him the European Golden Boot award for Europe’s top scorer.

Suarez’s new deal follows the announcement by the Spanish giant in October after Brazilian playmaker Neymar had penned a new five-year deal keeping him at the club until 2021 and featuring a €250 million release clause.